General Discussion

Happened today - looks like the wind got it, no further details.

Air Force’s ‘All-Seeing Eye’ Flops Vision Test It’s the one of the most revolutionary — and one of the most chilling — weapons to come out of America’s decade of conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Gorgon Stare, a new “all-seeing” camera system for aerial drones, is supposed to boost U.S. surveillance by an order of magnitude, by installing a hive of nine or more cameras under the wing of an Air Force Reaper drone. Gorgon Stare-equipped Reapers are meant to watch over a “city-size” area, while also simultaneously sending video feeds to dozens of “customers” on the ground. There’s just one problem. Gorgon Stare doesn’t work as promised, at least according to the A…

I was recently updating an article I wrote on pointy nose weaponeering a few years back. I interviewed the RAF equivalent of a FWIC IWSO for the article, and he talked in some depth about teaching his studs to manually calculate fusing, impact angles, penetration depths, impact speed etc. Of course, theere are also computers that can do all this stuff, but I suppose that the RAF wants to make sure that its FWIC studs don't forget how to do it the old fashioned way. Anyway, it got me to thinking about some stuff I was told about the mission planning software used by USAF strike pilots and WSOs. I was told that you could input, say, a command bunker into the computer,…

If you had the chance in a non-attribution environment, what inputs would you give if you had five minutes with CSAF, General Jumper? [ 22. November 2004, 15:31: Message edited by: Clearedhot ]

All, What's the largest aircraft in an air-to-air kill. I'm pretty sure it's the B-52D (2 kills in Vietnam during Operation Linebacker II), however I can't find a reference for whether it is the largest aircraft with an A-A kill. Any help would be appreciated.

Did a search and didn't find a relevant thread...I applied for a humanitarian assignment about 2.5 weeks ago to be near my father who has cancer. It's currently at the submitted to BPO step. Does anyone have any knowledge on these things and how fast they move? I spoke to my assignment team and there's an open slot at the base I want and they said that they don't anticipate filling it until the fall cycle; does this availability of a slot tilt things in my favor?

Well wouldn’t you know it I had solid flight only to screw up my ground EP. Sure sucks blowing an 88 ride on just an EP. Anyways all is back to normal but I was just curious if midphase is really about a 50% bust rate at UPT? The student rumor is that they look to bust folks on the midphase more so then on the last three checks. Is there any partial truth to this? Its tuff separating student rumors/interpretation from the honest truth. By the way if anyone has good suggestions on how to setup EP’s please pass it along. Iv tried using the little cheat sheets but they are not always helpful. Since we are so understaffed we don’t get many stand-ups during the week. …

We invested a shitload of money in a shithole, and "Surprise!"... we get kicked out. Again. How badly is this Admin gonna keep screwing up? It appears we operate(d) two bases there. The linchpin of the U.S. military’s archipelago of bases in North and West Africa, Air Base 201 consists of a 6,200-foot runway (composed of 1.1 million square feet of asphalt), aprons, taxiways, massive aircraft hangars, multistory living quarters, roads, utilities, munitions storage, and an aircraft rescue and firefighting station, all within a 25-kilometer “base security zone.” U.S. troops eat in a 13,000-square-foot dining facility, work out in a gym, play on …

Don’t know how many on this forum knew Reagan Whitlow, but he died in a private plane crash tonight, the C-130 community lost a fantastic pilot and better person. Here’s a toast... https://www.kark.com/news/local-news/update-pilot-killed-in-plane-crash-was-retired-lt-colonel-in-air-force/1478582383

Elders, Our class's drop sheet came out this past Friday and today we were snooping around AF Portal and came across AMS. We found that when we put in 2LT and C-17 with "All" as the base selected, the bases that showed up exactly correlated to what was on our drop sheet except there was a number next to how many slots were available. The same held true for other planes we typed from our drop sheet. Was this coincidental, or did we stumble upon a way to find out how many of each plane/base we dropped?

Boeing's 367-80/Dash 80 made its first flight in Seattle. https://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2010/07/0715boeing-707-test-flight#ixzz0tlsZeQTI Tex Johnston "selling airplanes."

I was heading to Moab Utah in my lifted jeep when I got pulled over by a Utah trooper coming the other direction. He told me I was doing 82. I laughed outloud because me jeep would fall apart if I was going that speed. He didn't believe me but gave me a ticket for doing 74 in a 65. That is still BS cause I never speed in my jeep as it kills my gas mileage. I was more likely doing 62 than 82. I am still waiting for an OTS date after being selected for a pilot slot on 0505. I had two speeding tickets at that time when I was selected, those I deserved. This one I didn't. I didn't stay in Moab to protest to the judge as I need to be at work on monday. Any advise, will…

Good morning aviators. I had an idea that crossed my mind about investing in a flight sim. Items including stick, throttle, and rudder pedals (https://shop.thrustmaster.com/en_gb/t-16000m-fcs-flight-pack.html), and some kind of good reviewed/ not too expensive pc and monitor to play Microsoft Flight Simulator, and DCS. I have the money to pay for something like this, so I am not too worried about the damage, but I was looking for some input. Do you think buying, and playing a sim is worth it? ex. improving pilot skills; getting familiarity with jets that could possibly help in phase 2 & 3 of UPT (possibly practicing t-6 and t-38 maneuvers, for example formation …

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/visions-of-the-future/ I thought of Squadron Posters the second I saw NASA's poster art. I thought maybe Squadron Posters did some of the design... Maybe the style is just one of those viral/in vogue design things that I don't keep up with. Like Squadron Posters, I think they look cool.

Hello! Mid twenties working in healthcare with few logged hours under my belt. Been considering a career change and try for a guard spot. Current job is somewhat interesting and rewarding, but it just feels like a job and like I am putting my life on pause until I clock out. Does flying ever start feeling like that? I have read enough from pilots leaving service to understand there is a lot of desk work and duties outside of flying, but at the end of the day you still get to do some amazing flying, with amazing people, wear flight suits, and all the prestigious things that come with being a pilot. It just feels childish to quit a stable career I built so far to start from…

https://www.aviationtoday.com/av/military/Boeing-Awarded-AWACS-Avionics-Modernization-Contract_76388.html I thought this was only a rumor. But we'll see how many tails actually end up with the upgrade.

I'd like to take my motorcycle with me to UPT. That, or even buy a new one down there. However, will I have anyway to get her under roof? I also don't want a new motorcycle just to see it get trashed by the elements. Suggestions on the matter? Do I leave my bike at home?

Has anyone out there used them to order patches from and were you happy with the results? How do they compare to Mardon?

Just wanted to share this: SQUALENE CONFIRMED IN ANTHRAX VACCINE AFTER NUMEROUS PENTAGON DENIALS Representative Jack Metcalf of the State of Washington revealed in a report Thursday that the FDA found squalene in the anthrax vaccine being forced upon the U.S. military on pain of court martial and/or dishonorable discharge. The FDA confirmed the presence of squalene in the anthrax vaccine by using a more sensitive test than one used by the Pentagon. Squalene is NOT an FDA-approved substance and its consequences on health are unknown. As a vaccine booster ingredient, it is thought to increase immunity, but its use has been denied time and again by the Pentagon. Con…

Just saw it on the local nightly news. No news on any casualties. My prayers go out. -Hawk 4 killed. 2 injured. *Update

I'm a T-37 FAIP who was on my way to the F-16 and recently lost my single seat medical qual by a BS medical diagnosis(Wheat Allergy). I am now limited to a crew type aircraft(F-15E doesn't Count). I'm having a hard time choosing between the bomber & Airlift lifestyle. I've always loved the B-1 but after being in Del Rio for 5 years, I'm craving a good location. Question- In your opinion-Is flying the B-1 in a moderate location, exciting and challenging enough to overcome the Lifestyle of Charleston, seeing the world, and logging more flight time? I'm trying to weigh all variables, lifestyle, location, excite :o ment, comraderie, etc. What are your thoughts?

The story below explains the plans for the Reserves to take over the Legacy FTU at LRF. The big question is how are they going to find the people? Are there AD Pilot's, Nav's, FE's and LM's excited about becoming Air Reserve Technicians in the FTU? Even if they know the legacy herks will draw down with the AMP and J's coming on? Just wondering, H2Nav LRF FTU story

Pretty straight forward question: I'm prior Active, now currently CA Nat'l guard AMMO troop for the past couple of years. I was wondering what are the chances of being deployed in the Nat'l Guard if shit went down, like a war with N. Korea or some kind of conflict? And let's say if my unit doesn't get deployed during a time of conflict, can I volunteer to go active? Thanks!

I'm curious if anybody has been to JAOPC or CWPC in the past few years and if either, or both are worth the time. I have been offered both but don't want to waste my time. On the flip side an old boss also said to take whatever schooling they'll give to ya. Thoughts?